As the dating trend known as ‘consciously single’ is becoming more popular in India, a new survey by the dating app Bumble shows that women are indeed making their conscious choices more evident. The Bumble study indicates that single-shaming, especially around the wedding season makes daters feel evaluated with unwanted enquiries due to entrenched societal expectations. On the other hand, women are consciously choosing to remain single and not compromising on their relationship preferences while endeavouring to make more deliberate choices about who, how and when they want to date.
The study shows that 81 per cent of polled Indian women said that they feel more comfortable while being unmarried and living alone. In fact, 83 per cent of surveyed women said they are happy to wait until they find the right person, while 63 per cent of respondents said they won’t compromise with their preferences, needs or requirements when it comes to dating.
The Bumble study also indicates that 39 per cent of Indian daters believe that during the wedding season, their families tend to push them more towards traditional matches. Around 33 per cent of unmarried Indians also feel compelled to enter committed, long-term relationships during the wedding season.
"The shaadi (wedding) season in India often brings experiences of single-shaming with questions and judgement about our dating lives. Often, the identity of a single woman is synonymous with being unmarried. This single-shaming also means that single women are anxious about attending wedding functions or family events in anticipation of people telling them that they are not trying hard enough, or trying to set them up in the traditional way. Attending a loved one's wedding instead of celebrating then often becomes a source of anxiety, when it shouldn't be!", Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director, Bumble, said.
"Consciously Single trend shows more women are being intentional in how and who they want to date. On Bumble, women are in control, choosing who and how they want to date, and what is important to them. We want to encourage women to date on their own timelines, making the best first moves as and when they want!" she adds.
*Image used for representative purpose only.